Vacuum Laboratory Technician Apprentice

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Salary: 19514 per annum(rising annually throughout the apprenticeship)
Contract Type: Fixed-Term 28 months
Hours: Full-time 37 hours
Location: Warrington Keckwick Lane Daresbury WA4 4AD
Closing Date: Sunday 2nd February 2026
Interview Date: Feb 2026 / Mar 2026
Start Date: September 2026

Are you passionate about discovery and ready to take your first step into the world of laboratory science Join our team as a Laboratory Technician Apprentice and gain hands-on experience while working towards being a fully qualified technician.

Youll be working alongside a skilled team helping prepare and process specialist components that meet ultra-high vacuum standardsall for particle accelerators that power world-class scientific breakthroughs.

Its hands-on exciting work that puts you right at the heart of real discoveries.

About an Apprenticeship at STFC

Were looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals ready to develop their skills through formal training and hands-on experience. As an apprentice youll gain real-world experience build technical and professional skills and contribute to cutting-edge research and innovation in a dynamic supportive environment.

Youll be fully supported throughout the programme with regular check-ins from a dedicated Apprenticeship Coordinator structured training practical experience and mentorship from industry professionals. Plus youll have access to workshops a peer network and career development support helping you feel confident and prepared for new challenges.

Why join the ASTeC Vacuum Solutions Group at STFC

Our friendly close-knit team of around 18 specialists are diving into cutting edge particle accelerator research. Were all about pushing boundaries for current and future Big Science facilitiesand our projects are anything but ordinary.

From collaborating with big-name partners like CERN and the European Spallation Source to contributing to high-profile breakthroughs youll be right in the middle of exciting world-class science with people who genuinely love what they do.

Qualifications gained

• Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship
• BTEC in Applied Science

What Youll Learn

• To work safely in a laboratory
• To follow quality procedures
• Regulatory requirements of the industry and laboratory
• Technical skills to fulfil your role
• How to produce analyse and interpret data including the application of statistical techniques
• To communicate scientific information appropriately
• To use appropriate scientific methods to identify the causes of problems and produce solutions

Training provider

Cogent Skills:

Delivery - Instructor-led virtual learning online self-study and two 3-day residentials

Regular one-to-one coaching sessions with an assessor

What Youll Be Doing Day-to-day responsibilities

Your responsibilities will include handling and inspecting specialist vacuum components with care and precision and supporting complex processing tasks such as heat treatment surface cleaning and performance measurement using high-tech instruments.

Your work will support the groups specialists in delivering world-class science & technology projects.

Youll be involved in the construction and operation of vacuum systems for active research projects using equipment like ultrasonic cleaners drying ovens and gas analysers. Throughout your role you will follow established safety and operational procedures to ensure consistency and high standards in every task.

Part of your development will include assisting with the calibration and routine maintenance of laboratory instruments and contributing to the upkeep of the lab environment. Youll also work collaboratively with teams across various departments fostering strong communication and addition youll gain an understanding of essential lab standards including ISO 9001 protocols and health safety and environmental (HSE) guidelines.

Entry Requirements

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S) Interview (I) or both (S&I).

We are looking for the following:

• GCSEs in Maths and English (Grade 4/C or above) (S)
• An awareness of basic health and safety (I)
• A keen willingness to develop technical and engineering skills through hands-on experience (S&I)
• A genuine interest in how things work as well as in engineering technology or science and the work of STFC (S&I)
• Confident using a computer especially tools like Word Excel and Outlook (S)
• Pride in getting things just right (S&I)
• Ability to work as part of a larger team even when working on tasks independently (S&I)
• Enthusiastic and motivated to deliver high quality work to meet customer requirements(S&I)
• Good at keeping things on track and getting tasks done on time. (I)
• Enjoys solving practical problems thinking things through and coming up with ideas that work (I)
• Willingness to complete repetitive tasks. (I)
• Awareness of simple concepts related to basic vacuum (I)
• Ability to follow technical instructions (I)

Important Information

• To complete the apprenticeship you will need to evidence passes at 9-4 or A*-C in GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English. For those sitting their GSCEs in Summer 2026 we would need evidence of your predicted grades.
• When applying for an apprenticeship there is a set residency eligibility criteria that must be met by the applicant. To check your eligibility please click here.
• The training provider will also ask you to complete an initial assessment during the application process. If you already have a qualification in this subject area or similar please include as an attachment your transcript outlining the grade/s achieved and modules covered. By applying for this apprenticeship you are giving permission for your details to be shared with the relevant training provider.

We will be in touch after the closing date however please reach out on if you have any questions.

Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Employee Benefits

• Your salary will increase annually as you progress through your apprenticeship in line with policy.
• 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).
• Flexible working hours.
• An excellent defined average salary pension scheme.
• Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• Cycle to work scheme.

For a list of our full benefits please visithere.

As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: to apply

Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability for the opportunity based how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert.

Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together our scientists technologists engineers and business support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.

What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europes largest research organisations by your side Join us and discover whats possible!